Jamie Workman has worked at Wet ‘N’ Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park for 13 1/2 years.
“I love it,” Workman said. “This park has been here for 35 years. We opened in 1984. We routinely win on all these big media sites as a top water park because instead of a flat concrete slab, we have every kind of tree and rolling hillside. It looks like a tropical forest.”
Emerald Pointe, as most locals call it, also is unique for its one-of-a-kind rides.
“We have 36 water attractions,” Workman said. “The most popular is Thunder Bay Wave Pool because it’s the biggest one on the whole east coast.”
The newest attraction is on the far right of the park. “Riptide Racer” is built around the theme of drag racing and features a genuine drag car. It also is the only face-first water attraction at Emerald Pointe. “People will be thrilled, coming next year in 2020, we will have a big new ride,” Workman casually said. “I can’t say any more.”
For Workman, the Director of Marketing, Sales, Entertainment and Promotions, safety is the most important concern of the water park.
“Safety is No. 1,” Workman said. “Fun is second.”
The park has more than 600 seasonal employees and lifeguards must go through an intensive 8- to 10-week training with a perfect score.
“When you come inside, one of the flags with five stars means that over a long period of years your establishment has an impeccable safety record. We are the only park in the history of North Carolina to win it,” Workman added.
This weekend, Emerald Pointe will be celebrating “Christmas in July.”
“We bring in Santa Claus for ‘Santa on Vacation.’ He tells stories and gives away candy canes,” Workman said.
The water park’s 35th anniversary is July 20. It will be holding a birthday party with entertainment on the main stage and free birthday cake. Home Educators Day will be Aug. 8 and home-schooled children will enjoy low ticket prices. Christian Youth Day is Aug. 11 and the park will only play contemporary Christian music.

For more details, visit https://www.emeraldpointe.com/.

Corinna Workman is a rising sophomore at Western Alamance High School and a Teens & 20s writer.